Opera Queensland launches 2013 Season in style

I was invited to attend tonight along with the cast of Carmen, and we witnessed an event oozing with heart. So often these can be dry, speechified affairs, but with Lindy Hume's creativity
on display it was anything but - the guests were seated onstage, and after the Premier's speech the curtain revealed OQ singers together with the Camerata of St John's to perform an excerpt from
St. Matthew's Passion. Toby Cole led an ensemble in fine form and together demonstrated how simply a moment of sublime musical artistry can appear, and disappear.

Next a light-hearted, with a wacky quartet of singers delivering highlights from Rossini's Cenerentola, to be directed in 2013 by Lindy Hume, and a video message from NZ Opera's Aiden Lang in
support of this new trans-Tasman collaboration. And a further video message from Simon Phillips spruiking his involvement in a new production of Otello, co-produced by a consortium of
Australian state opera companies together with NZ Opera.

It looks like exciting times ahead for Opera Queensland, with new leadership, new branding, new programs and objectives; local audiences and artists have every reason to feel optimistic.